The Loksatta Party welcomes the latest entry of India's first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi into active politics. Bedi joined the BJP on January 19 and was immediately named the party's chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Without getting into a debate on the merits of Bedi's choice of political vehicle, the Loksatta Party said it was commendable for a woman of her stature and background to take the plunge into politics and strive to help bring about the change citizens hope to see.

While those criticising Bedi's entry into the BJP may have their reasons, it is important to note that it can only be good for the country if educated & competent people take active part in politics instead of avoiding it. The answer to bad politics is good politics, not no politics. To build a democracy of quality, it is imperative that accomplished citizens get their hands dirty.

Expressing his opinion on Bedi joining politics, Loksatta Party founder Jayprakash Narayan tweeted: "Politics is beginning to change. The elites who were on the sidelines are realising the primacy of politics & pursuing power as a means. We need to accelerate this process of treating politics as a vehicle for real change. Rejecting politics is not an option. The fastest route to Indian transformation is major parties embracing new political culture. BJP is far ahead in pursuing change.

Narayan also tweeted that active participation and acceptance of people like Shazia Ilmi, Suresh Prabhu, Rajeev Gowda, Nandan Nilekani in national parties was good.

Party president Surendra Srivastava said, "The struggle for Independence and the early successes after Independence were largely attributable to the leadership of educated professionals. But, thereafter this class started distancing itself from politics leaving the field wide open for criminal and corrupt elements." He emphasised that LSP has always welcomed professionals from every field as long as they have a one-track commitment to the cause of democracy.

Rajeev Pai, National Spokesperson of the party recalled that it was LokSatta Party which was the first party to realize that Good and Competent talent of Indians must join main stream politics way back in 2006, when it was launched. He further credited for this change in the mind set of Indian middle classes to LokSatta Aandolan's pioneering work since 1996, which exposed criminals & money bags in politics through it's PIL in Supreme court in 2003, Anti Black Money movement of Baba Ramdev, Anti Corruption movement of Anna Hazare and clean politics movement by Arvind Kejariwal of Aam Admi Party which had forced national parties like BJP to open door for people like Kiran Bedi.

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